Chances of Seeing Gorillas in Rwanda During the Rainy Season: Planning gorilla tours in Rwanda during the rainy season is a smart decision. You have a 98% chance of spotting mountain gorillas even when it rains. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is home to 12 habituated gorilla families, which means every visitor gets a genuine opportunity to see these magnificent animals up close. The Rwandan government has carefully organized the entire trekking experience to ensure that every trekker encounters gorillas during their safari.

Every morning before a trek begins, trackers head out early to locate the gorilla families. They use the last known location of each family to map the best route for that day. Throughout the morning, trackers stay in constant contact with the guides so that your group always moves in the right direction. This system works remarkably well, rain or shine.

Rwanda has two rainy seasons — the long rains, which fall between March and May, and the short rains, which occur from October to November. Since Volcanoes National Park is a rainforest, rain can fall at any point during the year. Therefore, even during the dry season, you might experience some rainfall. The good news is that rainy season showers are usually short. They do not last all day, so they rarely interrupt the full trekking experience.

Where Does Gorilla Trekking Take Place in Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place only in Volcanoes National Park, which sits in the northwestern part of the country. The park shares borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the sole destination in Rwanda for gorilla trekking, and it hosts 12 habituated gorilla families. These include the Susa, Agashya, Kwitonda, Amahoro, Hirwa, Ugenda, Umubano, Titus, and Bwenge families, among others.

How to Secure Your Gorilla Permit

To participate in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, you must first buy a gorilla permit. You can purchase one through the Rwanda Development Board or through a reliable tour operator. Permits cost $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for African citizens, and $200 for East African citizens. Rwanda also provides a 30% discount on permits, though this applies only to tourists who have already booked at least two nights in either Nyungwe Park or Akagera National Park.

Once you choose your trekking dates, contact your tour operator and share those dates. They will check permit availability and then send you an invoice. After you complete the payment, they will purchase the permits and send you a scanned copy as confirmation.

What to Expect During Your Trek

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park begins at 7:00 AM at the park headquarters. Rangers start the morning with a briefing that covers what to expect and the rules you must follow. After the briefing, you join a group of eight trekkers, receive an assigned gorilla family, and head to the trailhead. The duration of the trek depends on where your assigned family is located that day. Once you reach the gorillas, you spend one full hour with them — observing, taking photos, and recording videos. Afterward, your group returns to headquarters, where rangers award each trekker a certificate.

Rules Every Trekker Must Follow

Sticking to the trekking rules keeps both you and the gorillas safe. Here are the most important ones to remember:

  • The minimum trekking age is 15 years.
  • Always maintain a distance of 7 to 10 meters from the gorillas.
  • Leave your bags behind before approaching the gorillas.
  • Switch off your camera flash at all times when photographing them.
  • Only eight people may trek with one gorilla family per day.
  • Never litter inside the national park.
  • Remove your sunglasses before approaching the gorillas, since reflections can provoke the dominant silverback.
  • Never feed the gorillas or eat and drink near them.
  • If you need to use the bathroom, dig a 30-centimeter hole and cover it afterward.
  • Never touch the gorillas or move too close to them.
  • Turn away and cover your mouth when you need to sneeze or cough.
  • Sick tourists are not permitted to trek, as gorillas are vulnerable to human illnesses.
  • Stay with your group and always follow your guide.

What to Pack for a Rainy Season Safari

Bringing the right gear makes your rainy season trek far more comfortable. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, but avoid jeans — wet denim becomes very heavy and slows you down on the trail. Pack a warm sweater and a waterproof rain jacket, since the weather in Volcanoes National Park shifts quickly. Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots that fit well and support your ankles firmly.

Add adjustable gaiters to your pack, as they keep mud and water off your trousers on wet trails. Bring a camera of any kind, along with extra batteries, memory cards, a tripod, and a waterproof camera bag. Also, carry insect repellent to protect yourself from the bugs that live inside the forest.

Why Trek During the Rainy Season?

Chances of Seeing Gorillas in Rwanda During the Rainy Season. There are real advantages to choosing the rainy season for your gorilla safari. First, Rwanda offers permit discounts during this low season, though only for tourists who pre-book at least two nights in Nyungwe or Akagera National Park. Second, many lodges lower their rates to attract visitors, so your overall costs can drop significantly. Third, the trails are far less crowded. Many tourists avoid the rainy season, which means you enjoy a quieter, more personal experience with the gorillas. Additionally, food is abundant in the forest during the rains, keeping the gorillas closer to the trail and making them easier to track.

Getting There and Where to Stay

Chances of Seeing Gorillas in Rwanda During the Rainy Season. Volcanoes National Park is only two to three hours from Kigali by road. After landing at Kigali International Airport, your driver will take you directly to the park in a 4×4 safari vehicle. Accommodation options range from budget lodges to luxury retreats, including Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda during the rainy season is absolutely worth it — and with the right preparation, it can be the adventure of a lifetime.